James McKean and The Blueberry Moon
PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Release Date: 11 December 2026
Label: Gare Du Nord (Code 7)
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 619091684602
Genres: Americana Alternative
Description
James McKean and the Blueberry Moon are a London-based 5 piece group - equal parts indie and roots - who rock an 'organic, earthy sound' (BBC6 Music). Their music is seasoned with a dash of soul, a hint of psychedelia, and a touch of gospel.
Their new album A Story You Love is by turns contemplative, rocking, celebratory, intimate....a moving and eclectic record. Recorded at South London's One Cat studio, the tracks echo classic 60s rock, Van Morrison, the Stone Roses, Nick Cave and more....
This incarnation of the Blueberry Moon formed in Spring 2026, and features electric guitarists Jack Harris, and Ross Palmer (Watertown Carps, Yo Zushi, Melanie Crew & Ross Palmer), framing James McKean's dark, soulful voice. Behind them are the rock-solid rhythm section of drummer Ben Lambert (who's worked with Carter USM, Drugstore, Amy Winehouse & others), and bassist Matt Lloyd (Southern Tenant Folk Union).
Atmospheric opener "The Prophet" builds slowly to a soaring Palmer guitar solo. The single "Mantra"'s evocative train-beat blues and haunting Morricone stylings hint at Echo and the Bunnymen, the Gun Club, and The Coral. The regretful "Taming the Whale", a tale of man's hubris co-written with House Above the Sun's Jim Moreton, features a stunning reverb-tinged guitar solo from Harris.
James McKean, Iranian-English and Oxford-born, has long been a regular on London's folk and Americana circuit, and horn-laden "The Lantern" celebrates the long-running Lantern Society and some of its best-loved performers and songs. Meanwhile "Gunpowder" veers cinematically into dance-rock territory.
The album hangs together despite its eclecticism. The sun-kissed, four-to the-floor rock of "Bluetopia", and the gospel blues duet "I Can't Change What Was" include two great guest turns: James trades vocals with Marcus O'Higgins, and Basia Bartz complements them with her outstanding violin.
The album closes with the valedictory "Somewhere Near The End Of The World", a piano ballad both intimate and grand.
Tracklisting
Dan O'Farrell & The Difference Engine
Bobby Zodiac and The Clairvoyants
James McKean and The Blueberry Moon
Willie Gibson
Papernut Cambridge
Michael Warren
Andrew Rumsey
Mystery Fix
The Gymkhana
Lake Street Dive
Coastal Ghost
Otoboke Beaver
Smashing Pumpkins
Sacha Mullin
Sacha Mullin
James McKean and The Blueberry Moon
